Happy Fez-iversary to Martin and his fundraising army

Yesterday (28 May) marked the first anniversary of a unique fundraising idea to raise money for Exeter cancer charity FORCE.

The Fez campaign led by Martin Lynn has brought in close to £20,000.

It’s a remarkable achievement by the Exeter father-of-three, who is battling a rare cancer of the immune system.

He and some of his close lieutenants in the Fez Army got together for a celebratory lunch to mark the occasion and begin planning for the next year.

“It's been the most incredible 12 months of my life,” said Martin. “May 28th 2014 was the day I walked into FORCE, armed with my fez and a 'Keep calm and wear a fez’ canvas. I was greeted by Naomi (Cole) who probably thought I had escaped from a secure unit! Random idea, different, but it has worked beyond my wildest dreams. The campaign has gone so well I sometimes forget that I squeezed in 42 weeks of chemotherapy in London at the same time.”

The original plan involved declaring Sunday August 24 2014 as Fezmas Day - Christmas Day with a twist with Christmas trees, Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, Christmas jumpers, music, crackers and festive films but no silly paper hats. The difference was, everyone taking part wore a fez, preferably with a bit of tinsel on it.

Martin and a group of friends and family got together in Exeter for some fez-tide fun and similar celebrations went on around Britain and overseas. The response was incredible. Fezmas Day raised nearly £9,000 with all the money going to FORCE.

“The interest was overwhelming so we threw in other ideas. Fezbands, a rugby day, a golf day, tattoos, a talent show and so on. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people who are supporting the cause. It's exciting, it's fulfilling, rewarding and it's brought so much laughter along the way it's unbelievable. So many people have been brought closer together through it,” said Martin.

He is overwhelmed by the generosity people have shown but one comment from FORCE fundraiser Naomi Cole stands out for him.

“She said 'Thanks to you more people know we are here.' That will always always stick with me. It’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me,” he said. “The Fez Army is gaining momentum rapidly, the awareness is growing daily, and not one thing we do is done without a smile .There are too many people to thank individually, hundreds now being involved!

“My aim at the start was to make people know that it's acceptable to seek help after a brutal regime of cancer treatment. To me what FORCE offers is equally important as the treatment we all go through in the hospital. I left it a little bit late, but not too late.

“This cancer world has battered me physically and mentally but the fulfilment I'm getting from the fez madness is softening the blow considerably.

“Long Live The Fez!”

FEZ EVENTS FOR 2015

JUNE 30: THE FEZEX CUP GOLF DAY AT DOWNES CREDITON
Thirty teams of four will be involved in a day of fun and competition for the inaugural Green Fez award. The aim is to raise £5,000 from entries, sponsorship of holes and raffled prizes.

JULY 25: DEVON RUGBY LEGENDS TAG FEZTIVAL
Two of Martin’s former rugby colleagues Andy Matchett and Darren Harries are staging a tag rugby tournament for veterans (over 35s) at Exeter Saracens RFC. Clubs across the county have signed up to support the event which will feature live music and other family entertainment plus an auction of rugby-related memorabilia.

AUGUST 30: FEZMAS DAY
The second Fezmas Day will have all the fun of Christmas without the pressure and presents. It’s designed to bring families and friends together for an annual celebration with a difference.

KEEP CALM AND WEAR A FEZBAND FOR FORCE CANCER CHARITY
Watch out for the distinctive green wristbands with their Fez logo. There are plans to make them available in shops, businesses, pubs and clubs around the Exeter area this year.

DURKIN’S DARE
Martin’s alter-ego Ted Durkin has come up with his own version of the ice bucket challenge – Get Fez’d for FORCE. He became the first to have a small, fez-shaped tattoo and donated money to FORCE for the privilege before nominating five other people to do the same. Nominees can take up the challenge and donate to FORCE or decline and still donate before making their own nominations.